Student Employment (Co-Op)

Cooperative Education is a program offered in vocational schools that allows students who meet certain criteria to work for pay in their trade in place of their time in their shop program. Students receive shop credit for their time at work.

Students can apply for Co-op beginning in Quarter 3 of their Junior year. In order to qualify for a Co-op placement, students must meet the following criteria:

• Have been a part of their shop program for a minimum of 1.5 years
• Maintain a B or better in their trade (CTE) area
• Maintain a C or better in ALL Academic classes
• Adhere to the Minuteman High School Attendance Policy (as stated in the Student Handbook)

The hiring process for a student looks the same as it would for any other employee. Companies can interview students as they would any prospective candidate, conduct reference checks, and ask for work samples. Though many students who are applying for a co-op placement are entering the work force for the first time, the goal of this program is to provide them with real world work experience in their trade – that includes the application and vetting process!

While there are some restrictions on equipment for minors set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there are several exceptions that are in place for students in an approved Chapter 74 Cooperative Education Program as part of their training.

For more information or specific questions, please contact Minuteman’s Cooperative Coordinator.

In order to comply with the Cooperative Education requirements set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, there will be a few additional forms to complete before we can approve a student to start (all forms can be completed electronically). This includes:

• Cooperating Employer Agreement – completed and signed by the employer, provides contact information, student salary information, and anticipated skills the student will have the opportunity to learn  
• Cooperative Education Agreement – signed by student and employer, outlining the expectations of each party
• Work Permit Application – signed by student, parent, and employer for students under 18 years of age
• CORI/SORI Form* – to be completed and signed by student’s direct supervisor.
• Verification of Workman’s Compensation Insurance – This can be sent directly to Minuteman from the Insurance agent. Students must be covered under the employer’s policy and documentation of active coverage must be provided

Students are required to work a MINIMUM of 30 hours per week on their shop week, though some may wish to work more than 30 hours if they choose to. The maximum number of hours a student under the age of 18 can work in a week is 48. For additional information on child labor laws, please see: Massachusetts Child Labor Laws

Nope! As many of the jobs in the trades we offer at Minuteman have non-traditional work hours, students may work whatever hours your company is hiring for. For instance, many Cosmetology and Culinary students work evenings and weekends, as that is where the demand is in their field. As long as they are working 30 hours during their shop week, you are free to arrange work hours with the student to meet business needs, and they do not have to coincide with school hours.

Unfortunately, no. If an employer cannot guarantee 30 hours per week, we cannot have students work on an as-needed basis.

Co-op Employers are required to pay students at least minimum wage. Employers should also be offering compensation at a rate that is appropriate for their field. 

Each week students are required to complete a timesheet and short journal response detailing their week at work. Once this is submitted, it will automatically go to the designated supervisor (electronically) for approval. This form will contain a weekly grade sheet for you to provide feedback and a weekly score, which will be used to calculate the student’s shop grade. The completed form will be visible to the student, their trade teacher, and the Cooperative Education Director.